:: Meriwether County ::

Meriwether County was created in 1827, the 73rd county created. The county was named for General David Meriwether, a state militiaman often called on by the federal government to negotiate with the Indians. General Meriwether served in the Revolutionary War and was a state legislator and a member of congress.

The first courthouse in Meriwether County was destroyed in 1893 by a cyclone.

The county seat is Greenville, named for Revolutionary war hero General Nathaniel Greene.

Points of Interest

Warm Springs--site of President Roosevelt's "Little White House"--is in the county. The historic site, operated by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, draws over 100,000 visitors annually. The warm springs pools used by Roosevelt and others in the 1930s and 1940s have been renovated.

The springs' waters stay naturally at 90 degrees, and were used by Indians as a healing spring and later as a spa for white settlers. More recently, Franklin D. Roosevelt, as well as other polio victims, have benefited from the therapeutic water. The Warm Springs Foundation opened its doors to people suffering from other types of crippling disease and conditions after the invention of the polio vaccination.

The Red Oak Creek flows through Meriwether County into the Flint River. It is named for the beautiful red oak trees that grow in this area.

The Chattahooche-Flint Highway, a scenic highway, runs through Coweta, Troup and Meriwether counties.

Notable Citizens

Governor John Marshall Slaton is from Meriwether County. He was also, at one point, the president of the Georgia Senate.